#Askfhu is our ongoing series of posts that focus on a single umpiring issue that you may have been or likely will be faced with at some point in your career. We'll focus on giving you tangible and effective strategies to deal with the situation. We also want to hear about your experiences and suggestions so don't be shy, get your comments on below!
Last week I shared a post where I'd shared my personal checklist for early game management. On FHF, a member asked me to expand on the concept of a penalty corner routine (#5 on my checklist) and why that was important as a management tool. For this piece of advice I owe everything to my colleague and friend Matt Harrison who overhauled and refined my routine, which I now coach to umpires I work with.
The way we manage PCs has a big impact on how we are perceived. In the scope of the game, the flow shifts from the waxing and waning mayhem of free play and suddenly stops. At the highest levels, this is often a moment where the umpire is on camera, which shows close-ups of our expressions and interactions with players. More importantly, it's a big moment in the game. A big decision has been made, and a good scoring opportunity is being set up. It's really important to do it right.
How to walk straight into trouble: CalCup 2011
First off, many of us make the mistake of habitually calling a PC and then march straight towards the goal where all the defending players are either already milling about or are heading towards. That's called walking into trouble. Even when you've made the most obvious of obvious PC decisions, you're still getting right up in the grill of several players who are pissed – usually at themselves and each other for having given up the PC, and when it wasn't an obvious decision, YOU.
I've learned that I can contribute a great deal towards not only showing that calm demeanour but also managing players well by simply standing still immediately after making the decision. Borrowing from CardHappy, with whom I've worked as a colleague and in umpire managing capacities, I like his approach of literally counting to 10 in place. Stillness is calm. Walking is busy. The players unconsciously or semi-consciously observe your calm attitude, see that you're confident in your decision and are more likely to calm down themselves.
You also give the defenders those precious moments to swear under their breaths at themselves (or you, but it doesn't matter because you're not there to hear it), regain their breath and composure, and forget why they were going to question your decision before you're accessible. If things are very volatile, standing in place gives you a position of strength from which you can deal with players who then have to deliberately shift their direction and approach you in order to have their say. When you're not walking towards them, it's way easier to see who is coming and be able to deal with the consequences. (It's a recent point of emphasis in dealing with dissenting players to not allow any form of “swarming” or crowding. One player, preferably the captain, is permissible. Any joiners need to be dealt with and not be permitted to join the discussion.)
After counting to 10, you can start your management routine. Usually, the means first approaching the defenders and making sure they're getting their protective gear on (if any), and letting them know how long they may have before you want the PC to be underway. Then you could turn to the attackers who are likely getting to their spots on the circle by now, and checking their feet and maybe pointing at one or two (“I'm watching!”). Then to the injector, on the first PC I will let them know in the simplest way possible that they may inject the ball when I say “play”. Then to the defenders on the line, I'll make sure they're where they need to be and remind them to wait for the ball to move before they do (sometimes with nothing more than sign language). Then I take my position and say “play”. And we're off!
There are so many little things that you are being proactive about with a PC routine like this – appealing, early breaks by defenders and attackers, delay by defenders in putting on equipment, injecting the ball when you're not in position… really – any kind of messiness that could put you into a position of needing to make a tough call in a tough situation.
Do you have a penalty corner routine? Have you tried something else that works well for you? Share your experiences in the comments.
at the penalty corner I’ll stay in the position where I have given the corner from. If more than one players come towards me I’ll say before they get close only one. If there is a question I’ll stop time.(I don’t umpire at a level where there is a video referral). I’ll explain why I’ve given the corner and who committed the foul. I’ll normally give the first corner about 40 seconds to get everyone ready and set the standard that I’d like an other corners to be set up it. I’ll signal my other umpire and hold my arm out to hold the defnders back I’ll quickly look round the circle to check feet and stick and if they are close I’ll warn them but not only saying to them but also pointing at them (this helps my other umpire know what to watch for) I’ll then say ‘play’ after which the injector can play the ball.
Great tips… My routine is pretty similar! The only other thing I include is that after my “10 second wait” I tend to head more towards the attacking teams huddle at the top of the circle as opposed to towards the defenders. After you have awarded a PC you have all of a sudden become the attackers best friends – plus you may overhear a tactic that they are planning so you may be able to predicted and watch for their moves. I also find that it it often the attacking team that take a bit longer to set up these days for whatever reason so you are nice and close to them to give them a friendly reminder to move along a bit…
I can see the need to hurry up the attackers, that’s good proactive management. However, I don’t think I’d want to walk towards them as a matter of habit. For me, I only walk towards the injector and the defenders on the line once, and that’s for the first corner of the half so that I can communicate my messages. Otherwise, I want to walk around as little as possible, and although listening in on the attackers seems kinda fun, it’s probably not cool. Interesting idea though, thanks for contributing!
Haha… Yeah you do hear some good things from time to time… I certainly don’t get involved with “huddle” – I suppose I’m more like two maybe three meters away from the PS spot but near to the top of the circle rather than nearer the defenders…
Having said that, I always find time, when halting the injector – “wait for me please” etc, to say to the defenders “remember your sticks and feet and watch the break” etc…
Haha, I too have found myself normally on the first corner of the game saying to the injector wait for my signal or if time has been stopped.
That’s why even before the injector is set I’ll say “injector wait for my signal”. If time is stopped I’ll normally say I’ll blow the whistle to bring time back on then say “play” when I’m happy for the corner to start.
Interesting to here different people saying where the stand. I like to be able to see both team and make sure that neither team is trying to waste time normally it’s the keeper that the worst, Taking their helmets or glove pad off always find myself saying keeper hurry up please.
During a PC the ball never get out of the circle, the pc is played anyway, an attacker is getting a shoot to the goalie and in that moment receive a foul that in a regular situation or a PC well played will be a PS.
If the attacker can’t score a goal because the ball never get out of the circle, is ok that decision?
The rule 12.4 b, let the umpire to get that decision
I can’t found an email were to be send my question.
Great question. If I understand you correctly, in this situation, the ball did not leave the circle during a PC, and then a defender committed an intentional foul against an attacker who had possession or a good opportunity to play the ball. In that case, yes, a penalty stroke is the correct decision. It’s only if 12.4(a) comes into play, where an unintentional foul stops the ball from going into goal that would result in another PC being called, because a goal could not have been scored as the condition of 13.3(j) hasn’t been satisfied.
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at the penalty corner I’ll stay in the position where I have given the corner from. If more than one players come towards me I’ll say before they get close only one. If there is a question I’ll stop time.(I don’t umpire at a level where there is a video referral). I’ll explain why I’ve given the corner and who committed the foul. I’ll normally give the first corner about 40 seconds to get everyone ready and set the standard that I’d like an other corners to be set up it. I’ll signal my other umpire and hold my arm out to hold the defnders back I’ll quickly look round the circle to check feet and stick and if they are close I’ll warn them but not only saying to them but also pointing at them (this helps my other umpire know what to watch for) I’ll then say ‘play’ after which the injector can play the ball.
Hi Fraser, great strategies on managing defenders who crowd you. Thanks for your thoughts!
Great tips… My routine is pretty similar! The only other thing I include is that after my “10 second wait” I tend to head more towards the attacking teams huddle at the top of the circle as opposed to towards the defenders. After you have awarded a PC you have all of a sudden become the attackers best friends – plus you may overhear a tactic that they are planning so you may be able to predicted and watch for their moves. I also find that it it often the attacking team that take a bit longer to set up these days for whatever reason so you are nice and close to them to give them a friendly reminder to move along a bit…
Great stuff
Hi Simon,
I can see the need to hurry up the attackers, that’s good proactive management. However, I don’t think I’d want to walk towards them as a matter of habit. For me, I only walk towards the injector and the defenders on the line once, and that’s for the first corner of the half so that I can communicate my messages. Otherwise, I want to walk around as little as possible, and although listening in on the attackers seems kinda fun, it’s probably not cool. Interesting idea though, thanks for contributing!
Keely
Haha… Yeah you do hear some good things from time to time… I certainly don’t get involved with “huddle” – I suppose I’m more like two maybe three meters away from the PS spot but near to the top of the circle rather than nearer the defenders…
Having said that, I always find time, when halting the injector – “wait for me please” etc, to say to the defenders “remember your sticks and feet and watch the break” etc…
Interesting to hear different techniques 🙂
Haha, I too have found myself normally on the first corner of the game saying to the injector wait for my signal or if time has been stopped.
That’s why even before the injector is set I’ll say “injector wait for my signal”. If time is stopped I’ll normally say I’ll blow the whistle to bring time back on then say “play” when I’m happy for the corner to start.
Interesting to here different people saying where the stand. I like to be able to see both team and make sure that neither team is trying to waste time normally it’s the keeper that the worst, Taking their helmets or glove pad off always find myself saying keeper hurry up please.
Hi, i have a question about PC
During a PC the ball never get out of the circle, the pc is played anyway, an attacker is getting a shoot to the goalie and in that moment receive a foul that in a regular situation or a PC well played will be a PS.
If the attacker can’t score a goal because the ball never get out of the circle, is ok that decision?
The rule 12.4 b, let the umpire to get that decision
I can’t found an email were to be send my question.
Regards
Hi Juan!
Great question. If I understand you correctly, in this situation, the ball did not leave the circle during a PC, and then a defender committed an intentional foul against an attacker who had possession or a good opportunity to play the ball. In that case, yes, a penalty stroke is the correct decision. It’s only if 12.4(a) comes into play, where an unintentional foul stops the ball from going into goal that would result in another PC being called, because a goal could not have been scored as the condition of 13.3(j) hasn’t been satisfied.
Does that make sense?